Crime

Milford man sentenced for racial attack on neighbour

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN man who hurled racist abuse at his black neighbour on repeated occasions has appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentence.

Body-worn footage captured by police officers following Ian Thomas’s arrest showed him asking the question, “Am I being done for beating up a black c***?”

Thomas, of Hamilton Terrace was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday via a video link from Swansea prison after being remanded in custody following a spate of offences committed on May 4 and May 5.

“The victim and the defendant are neighbours who reside in the same block of flats,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.

“Initially, when the victim first moved in, there were no issues between them, but then he started coming home drunk, shouting, swearing, and banging on her door.”

On May 4 the victim heard Thomas, who is employed as an excavation driver. returning home.

“He was clearly intoxicated and appeared to have wet himself,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He started banging on her door and then she heard him shouting ‘Black bastards’. She knew it was him because she recognised his voice.”

The following day, the victim returned to her home after attending a church service. Once again Thomas subjected her to racial abuse.

“She had placed a black bin bag outside her flat and the defendant kicked it, causing it to split, with rubbish being strewn all over the hallway,” said Ms Jackson.

A victim impact statement was read out the court

“This has left me feeling very scared,” said the victim.

“I really don’t know what he would do if he had the chance, and since this happened, I haven’t left my flat.

“The racist comments really hurt me and I’m really upset by it.”

Ms Jackson said that when police arrived at Thomas’ flat for questioning, he answered the door holding a knife which he was pointing downwards.

Police body-worn video footage was shown to magistrates during which the officers could be heard shouting at Thomas to lie down.

When they asked him why he was in possession of a knife he could be heard saying, ‘It’s because I have black c**** living here.’

“When he was taken into custody he told the officers that he had ‘black c****’ as neighbours and asked why he was being arrested for beating up a black c***,” added Abigail Jackson.

“This is a hate crime.”

Ms Jackson informed magistrates that Thomas has 26 previous convictions for violence issues, public order offences and weapon offences. She stated that Thomas is also alcohol dependent.

At a previous court appearance, Thomas pleaded guilty to causing his victim to fear violence; using threatening and racially aggravated words and behaviour and racially aggravated words, affray and causing criminal damage to the bin bag.

Thomas was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He’s found it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that these words were said,” he said. “He doesn’t consider himself to be racist but he can’t deny that those words were said. “But they were said in alcohol, and he has no recollection of what happened.”

Thomas was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

A restraining order was imposed preventing him from approaching or from having any other form of contact with the victim.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim. He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: